A motorist was killed when he lost control while trying to avoid traffic stopped ahead of him in Perris, causing his vehicle to plunge down an embankment and overturn, ejecting the victim.
The fatality occurred just before 6 p.m. Thursday on Goetz Road, just south of Mapes Road, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.
Sgt. Jeremy Bracey said the driver, whose name was not immediately released, turned onto Goetz from Mapes and headed southbound at an unconfirmed speed, encountering stopped traffic.
“The vehicle swerved across the northbound lane to avoid a collision and continued down an embankment, where it rolled before coming to rest,” Bracey said.
The motorist was thrown from the car. He was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics minutes later.
No other vehicles were involved.
“It is unknown at this time if drugs or alcohol were factors in this collision,” the sergeant said.
An autopsy was pending on the victim Friday.
Anyone with information was asked to contact the sheriff’s Perris station at 951-210-1000.